In-Silico Selection of Wound-Healing Plant Secondary Molecules and Their Pro-Healing Activities on Experimental Models

This study explored the potential of plant-derived molecules (PDMs) as a medicinal treatment for skin wounds. To assess their healing properties, 34 potential drug molecules (PDMs) and ten therapeutic targets were subjected to molecular docking and dynamics analysis, with allantoin used as a standard compound. Although aristolochic acid had the most potent inhibitory effect, its toxicity made it unsuitable for testing on cells and mice. Therefore, β-caryophyllene (BC) and caryophyllene oxide (BCoxide) were chosen for further testing. The results showed that BC-treated HaCat cells had significantly improved scratch area closure, and both BC and BCoxide treatment produced positive effects such as reduced dermal cellularity and mast cells, decreased levels of inflammation markers IL-6 and TNF-α, and an increase in collagen deposition in mice tissues. However, these treatments did not accelerate wound healing. This study suggests that the PDMs selected based on in-silico results have significant potential for pro-healing abilities. It is essential to conduct further research to confirm our findings.

Green Bank and Effelsberg Radio Telescope Searches for Axion Dark Matter Conversion in Neutron Star Magnetospheres

Axion dark matter (DM) may convert to radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation in the strong magnetic fields around neutron stars. The radio signature of such a process would be an ultranarrow spectral peak at a frequency determined by the mass of the axion particle. We analyze data we collected from the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope in the L band and the Effelsberg 100-m Telescope in the L band and S band from a number of sources expected to produce bright signals of axion-photon conversion, including the Galactic center of the Milky Way and the nearby isolated neutron stars RX J0720.4-3125 and RX J0806.4-4123. We find no evidence for axion DM and are able to set constraints on the existence of axion DM in the highly motivated mass range between ∼5 and 11  μeV with the strongest constraints to date on axions in the ∼10-11  μeV range.

HIV treatment cascade among transgender women in a San Francisco respondent driven sampling study

OBJECTIVE

Male-to-female transgender women (transwomen) have a disproportionate burden of HIV. We sought to estimate HIV treatment cascade indicators among transwomen in San Francisco.

METHODS

We conducted a respondent driven sampling (RDS) study of 314 transwomen from August to December 2010. The study tested participants for HIV and collected self-reported data on linkage and access to care, viral load and antiretroviral treatment (ART). We derived population-based estimates and 95% CIs of cascade indicators using sampling weights based on established RDS methods. We conducted RDS-weighted logistic regression analyses to evaluate correlates of being on ART and being virologically suppressed (viral load ≤ 200 copies/mL).

RESULTS

The RDS-weighted population-based estimate of HIV prevalence was 39% (95% CI 32% to 48%) among transwomen tested for HIV. Among HIV-positive transwomen, 77% (95% CI 70% to 93%) reported being linked to care within 3 months of diagnosis and 87% (95% CI 76% to 98%) accessed care in the past 6 months. In addition, 65% (95% CI 54% to 75%) were on ART, and less than half (44%; 95% CI 21% to 58%) were virologically suppressed. Housing instability was associated with lower odds of being on ART and being virologically suppressed.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed a high prevalence of HIV in our population-based estimates of transwomen in San Francisco, coupled with modest ART use and low virological suppression rates, indicating high potential for forward transmission. Poor HIV treatment outcomes were consistently associated with housing instability. These data suggest that multi-level efforts, including efforts to address housing insecurity, are urgently needed to ameliorate disparities in HIV clinical outcomes among transwomen and reduce secondary HIV transmission to their partners.

Alcohol and substance use among transgender women in San Francisco: prevalence and association with human immunodeficiency virus infection

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Alcohol and substance use can have negative health consequences among both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and -negative individuals, and are associated with behaviors that facilitate HIV transmission and acquisition. The relationship of substance use and HIV is well documented among key populations at risk for HIV. However, although transwomen (male-to-female transgender) are disproportionately impacted by HIV, this overlap remains understudied in this population. We sought to evaluate the association between HIV, alcohol and substance use among transwomen.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted a secondary data analysis of Respondent Driven Sampling study which collected information on self-reported alcohol and substance use among 314 transwomen. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess relationship between HIV infection and classes and patterns of alcohol and substance use.

RESULTS

We found that 58% of transwomen used alcohol, and 43.3% used substances. The most common substances used were: marijuana (29%), methamphetamine (20.1%), crack cocaine (13.4%), and 'club drugs' (13.1%). Transwomen who reported any methamphetamine use [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.02 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.51-6.02)], methamphetamine use before or during anal intercourse [AOR 3.27 (95% CI = 1.58-6.77)], and at least weekly methamphetamine use [AOR 3.89 (95% CI = 1.64-9.23)] had significantly greater odds of testing positive for HIV.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Transfemales have high prevalence of alcohol and substance use; those tested positive for HIV used significantly more methamphetamine in general, and in conjunction with sex. Given the disproportionate prevalence of HIV and substance use in this population, interventions aimed at addressing both substance use and HIV risk among transwomen are urgently needed.